Bearclaw Valley rubix

For @Cole!

Bearclaw was growing. Their numbers swelled. This was a good thing. With more able bodies, came strength. Strength to defend would be rivals. The muscle to take down larger prey to feed hungry mouths. But only for the worthy. Bearclaw had no place for weakness. No place for slackers. 

Even as a child born into the valley kingdom by birthright, Athella pulled her weight. Fought for her place. Nothing here was handed out freely. If she were to live up to the status and reputation of her parents, she would have to prove her mettle. 

Laid out on the sentinel stone facing the mouth of the valley, sharp honey eyes scanned the distant perimeter. Watching for movement. Smelling for any scents out of place. As the gently falling snow dotted her timber fur, she stayed fixated.

She had long since decided on what her role would be. Now, it was time to train.

Cole's ears perked at the sight of the young pup, her keen honey eyes sharp with focus as she perched on the sentinel stone. He recognized her immediately—Ameline’s daughter. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as he approached, the soft crunch of snow under his paws announcing his presence.

Well, if it isn’t Ameline’s little one, he remarked, his voice gruff but warm. What was your name again? He cocked his head, genuinely curious, as he glanced at her determined stance. And what are you up to out here?

His gaze shifted briefly to the snow-dusted landscape she had been surveying, intrigued by the young wolf’s focus. It seemed Bearclaw’s strength extended even to its youngest.

Snow crunch announced the approach of a pack mate. His scent gave his identity away. Cole, one of the wolves who consistently proved he was on top of his game. She had smelled him all over the place in the valley. And now this, was their first formal meeting.

The miniature lookalike of Ameline turned to look at him. Golden eyes ever intense. She had inherited them from her great grandfather, Merrick, after all. "It is Athella. And you're Cole, aren't you?" A spunky twinkle in her eye. Her tail tip weaved back and forth against the stone in a sweeping motion, slowly clearing away the white dusting.

"I am out here on watch. Keepin an eye out from afar. And also, thinkin." She uttered, using her teeth to nibble at a random itch in between her paw pads. Her voice was warm but steady. Decisive. A girl with ambitions. But she was still just a kid at heart.

Cole dipped his head in acknowledgment, a faint, crooked grin settling on his face. Pleasure's mine, Athella, he said, his voice carrying the easy drawl that marked his demeanor. He studied her for a moment, noting the spark in her eyes and the striking resemblance she bore to her mother.

Keepin' watch, huh? You're startin' early. Ain't bad, though, he added, his grin deepening just slightly. Settling himself on his haunches nearby, he tilted his head and asked, What’s got ya thinkin’? Big plans already?

His tone was curious but relaxed, the kind that encouraged honesty without pressing too hard. It was clear he was genuinely interested in the thoughts running through the ambitious young wolf’s mind.

When she looked at him closely, studying him in detail, the colors blended in his coat reminded her of family. That perhaps, from a distance he could be mistaken as blood kin. But as far as she was concerned, he already was. Her Regina had instilled in her and her sisters from an early age, that bonds trumped bloodlines. 

She liked the cool drawl of his voice, she decided. A slow, faint curl of the corners of her lips mirrored her growing interest. "Got that right. I have already decided that I want to be a guardian." She shifted on her rocky perch, to keep him in her direct line of sight. Her body language was poised but conversational. "This is my birthplace after all. My home...our home. I want to protect what is dear to me." She said with the ever so slight pride in the dip of her chin.

Cole let out a low chuckle, shaking his head slightly as he leaned back on his haunches. You’re just like your mama, y’know that? His voice carried a quiet warmth, a hint of amusement curling at the edges. Got that same fire in ya. Same pride, too.
He watched her for a moment, noting the determination in her eyes, the way she held herself—poised and confident, even as she spoke of ambition. It was admirable.
Tell ya what, he started, his tone shifting to something softer, almost conspiratorial. If you’re serious ’bout this guardian business, I can teach ya some things. Might come in handy when it’s time to step up.
He tipped his head slightly, waiting for her reaction. What d’ya say? Could learn a trick or two from an old dog like me.